doofus

American  

[doo-fuhs] / ˈdu fəs /

Or dufus

noun

plural

doofuses

1. Slang. a foolish or inept person.

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doofus British  

/ ˈduːfəs /

noun

1. informal a slow-witted or stupid person

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Etymology

Origin of doofus

An Americanism daing back to 1960–65; probably alteration of earlier goofus in same sense

Explanation

A doofus is a dummy or a simpleton — in other words, a goofy person who's not very smart. You might decide not to buy a top hat and suspenders after trying them on, looking in a mirror, and realizing you look like a doofus. Use the informal doofus when someone acts with stupidity or does something ridiculous and unthinking. If your brother angrily accuses you of stealing his favorite sunglasses, you can say, "You mean the ones on your head, doofus?" The word was originally 1960s US student slang, and it's thought to be modeled after goofus, an older term with a similar meaning, or to stem from the Scots doof, or "dolt."

Example Sentences

In the messages, Lively referred to Baldoni as "this doofus director of my movie" and described him as "a clown" who "thinks he's a writer now".

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

On UPN’s “Malcolm & Eddie,” which premiered in 1996, he’s the straight man to Eddie Griffin’s frenetic doofus.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2025

Particularly well served by the writers are Doi, the resident mordant wit, and Donovan as the doofus — in Kutcher’s old job, basically.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2023

Recalling Sideshow Bob’s flourishes and Homer’s doofus behavior connects them to a lost world in a way that feels bearable.

From New York Times • Jul. 27, 2022

Kind of a big bully who was also a bit of a doofus.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen